SUV Review: 1998 Chevrolet Blazer LT

1998 Chevrolet Blazer

Handout, GM

by
David Booth, Canwest News Service | August 10, 2011

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Auto manufacturers generally trumpet even the slightest improvement of an existing car like the proverbial Second Coming. A higher wattage light bulb for the ABS warning light – it’s a press release. A new chrome bezel for the door handles – it’s an advertising campaign.

That’s why Chevy’s 1998 Blazer LT is such a surprise. The Blazer hasn’t always been a house favorite. Though something of a bargain in the SUV ranks, its performance hasn’t been exemplary. The last version driven two years ago had a noisy engine, a strange ride and a lousy dashboard.

And since there’s been little fanfare from GM on any revisions to the ’98 Blazer, my expectations weren’t high when I picked up the 4WD LT for a week-long test.

Yet as soon as I sat behind the wheel, I knew that Chevy had taken at least some of the criticism heaped upon the Blazer seriously. Gone are the acres of GM’s ubiquitous light gray plastic, replaced instead by a tasteful black motif with, will-wonders-never-cease, a new dashboard and gauge set. Inspired at least a little by the Corvette’s new dash, the Blazer’s is pleasing to the eye and easily read. The overall effect is to lift the Blazer’s previously dated interior firmly into 1998.

The center console is similarly improved with the climate control air conditioning controls coming in for special commendation. Likewise, the AM/FM stereo with CD player is excellent. The sound is clear and Chevy is one of the few manufacturers that allows station tuning by the traditional, but easily manipulated, rotary knob rather than a toggle switch.

The Blazer has emulated Mercedes’ excellent power seat controls (the buttons are actually shaped like a seat). However, instead of being located on the door, the switchgear is on the bottom of the seat. As are the switches for the heated seats and lumbar support, both of which took me 10 minutes to locate. That said, the Blazer’s seat heaters can toast your buns to full broil in less than five minutes.

The Blazer’s 4.3 litre V-6 intrudes far less into the cabin’s calm than previous versions, the result of a stiffer engine block and better physical connection between the motor and transmission. Whatever the reason, there’s definitely less NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) transmitted to the passengers.

Though it’s hardly the latest in high-tech, the Vortec 4300 does pump out a creditable 190 horsepower and 250 lb.-ft of torque. It’s more than enough to move the Blazer along and accounts for its 5,000 pound (2,268 kilogram) trailer towing capacity (with appropriate trailering package).

Four-door Blazers are offered with a (no cost) choice of three suspension packages – ZQ1 Smooth Ride, ZW7 Premium Ride and Z85 Touring Ride – to cater to different needs. The touring option on the tester is the best Blazer combination I’ve tested to date. Well controlled on the highway, the Z85’s combination of P235/70R15 tires, larger shocks and stabilizer bars also provides a comfortable ride.

Other additions for ’98 include offering a one-piece liftgate as a no charge alternative to the liftglass/tailgate combination and a multi-function body computer which includes such convenience items as turn signal warning chimes, retained accessory power and more.

The ’98 Blazer impressed me greatly with its subtle, yet effective changes. It is, by far, the best Blazer Chevy has ever put on the road, especially considering its price. Fully loaded, the price just slipped under the $40,000 mark, at $39,825. It’s enough to remove the Blazer from my not recommended list. For those looking for something of a deal in the fully-optioned SUV market, the ’98 Blazer is worth consideration.